The shoulders and triceps will be indirectly involved as well. The incline dumbbell bench press is a variation of the incline bench press and an exercise used to build the muscles of the chest. When performing either exercise, your bench should be … Utilizing an incline will allow you to better target the upper portion of the chest, a lagging part for a lot of lifters. If you are shooting for size go for 8 to 12 reps. Picking between the dumbbell and barbell incline press is a matter of goal. Incline bench is an alternative exercise to the flat bench that places the back of the bench at a 15 to 60 degree angle. ... How to Do the Dumbbell Incline Press. While it can be a strength-focused movement, it is usually performed for moderate to high reps, such as 8-12 reps per set or more, as part of upper-body or chest-focused training. When to Perform The Incline Dumbbell Press. The incline dumbbell bench press is a popular upper-body exercise targeting the upper pectoral muscles. The general consensus seems to be that an incline of 15-30 degrees will put optimal stress on the upper pec while keeping the recruitment of the front delts to a minimum. Also known as the incline dumbbell bench press, the incline dumbbell press builds size and strength in your chest, specifically targeting the upper chest. The incline bench row seems like a simple move, but to get the most out of it, you need to understand its subtleties. Incline dumbbell presses and incline barbell presses both primarily work your chest muscles, but they also involve your shoulders and triceps muscles. You'll push more weight with a barbell, but encourage more stability with dumbbells. Is an Incline Dumbbell Press Better Than an Incline Bench Press?. The Incline Dumbbell Press. Treat the incline dumbbell press much like you would the bench press. Incline Bench Press. This exercise is considered a compound movement since it … The incline dumbbell bench press is a great alternative to the traditional incline barbell press. If you’re going for strength gains shoot for 1-4 reps (trying to max out on dumbbells is difficult as you might not be able to reach your starting position without a spotter). Armed with an incline bench and a pair of dumbbells, this exercise can bolster your entire upper body fitness routine. The exercise targets the upper chest area but also hits the secondary muscles including the front shoulders and triceps.